Local student to appear on ‘This Old House’

Sometimes dreams do come true. That’s the case for Walpole’s Mike Barrett, a Tri-County Vocational High School senior who has been selected to appear on PBS’s "This Old House."

Barrett, who grew up watching the show, will be working alongside the pros on the show’s project house this summer in Newton.

After launching a nationwide search for apprentices and local trainees, Barrettt was chosen to work with the TV crew on the house, where construction is already under way.

Barrett first got interested in carpentry by watching "This Old House" starting when he was 5 years old, so being on the show has allowed him to come full circle.

In its effort to increase the pipeline of skilled workers in America, the show has partnered with the mikeroweWORKS Foundation, a nonprofit charity that rewards people who have a passion for the trades.

"The show is so deeply committed to this program that they’re joining all of their media resources to elevate the building trades as a rewarding career path and to help raise money for the mikeroweWORKS Foundation’s Work Ethic, which supports training for the trades," the show’s producers said in a press release.

Barrett is part of the carpentry program at Tri-County, which trains students in the tools and techniques of house construction and remodeling.

"We learn basic framing, cabinetry, how to use power tools, but we also have to pick up every day and keep our work area clean," Barrett said. "That has helped me on the job site."

Barrett said he hopes to refine his skills in finish carpentry, framing, flooring and roofing on the job site.

"I like that you are doing something different every day, and often working outside," he said.

Framing interests him because progress is rapid and visible.

"But demolition is fun, too, because you can go pretty fast and work out lots of energy," he said.

The Co-op Program at Tri-County allows qualified seniors and juniors to learn and earn while being employed by a trade-specific business.

Students receive their traditional academic course load, then spend their practical shop week experiencing the world of business and industry.

Barrett first began working for Charlie Silva from Silva Brothers Construction this past year as a junior.

He applied for a co-op position with the firm, and received the offer to come to work for the company.

Barrett then emailed his boss about "This Old House" and the GenerationNext opportunity he found on the internet.

Silva emailed back, asking him to report to the Newton house for his co-op job. Once there, Barrett met the hosts of the show and was told he was going to be a part of the team.

"Being enamored with 'This Old House' as a little boy, Mike went ahead and solicited Silva Brothers on his own," Tri-County's Director of Cooperative Education Mary Ellen MacLeod said. "We had no idea that he initiated contact with Charlie Silva, got the interview and landed the job. All of us at Tri-County are exceedingly proud of Mike, his initiative and passion for the trade. We greatly look forward to following his endeavors on the show this season."

Season 39 of "This Old House" is scheduled to start in the fall. Air dates have yet to be announced.